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Smart homes = More Independence

Hey Folks,

C4-C5 here. I recently had my home updated with a package of smart home gadgets. a smartlock for the front door, a security camera outside my front door, a smart thermostat, and smart switches for ceiling fans and lights. I also had an Open Sesame electric door opener installed. All of it can be controlled by any Amazon Alexa device or Google Home device. Apple Homekit support is coming soon.

A company called HomeSmart Assistant in the Central Florida area did all of it. They support various gadgets across three categories: Security, Entertainment, and Environment. They work with insurance companies to get the costs covered. The increased level of independence this stuff offers can make a big difference in a physically-disabled person's life. I don't work for HomeSmart Assistant but It's made such a difference for me which is why I thought it might be a good idea to pass this information along to anybody in Central Florida that might benefit from this, And if you don't live in Central Florida, and think you might benefit from this, I suggest you look around your area to see if somebody is doing something similar.

I think smart houses is the best thing people invented. I use my smartphone to control some kitchen gadgets and air conditioner. Of course, it's quite expensive, but very convenient!

The advantage of "smart homes" is that they aren't specific to one (small!) section of the population (like a wheelchair is). As such, you have economies of scale to help drive down costs. And, a more ubiquitous offering that people are willing to embrace.

Unfortunately, most of this automation is still little more than "remote control"... 1970's mentality updated to allow a phone to be the "remote" (instead of a little handheld/bedside box).

Eventually, these devices will cooperate and anticipate the user's needs instead of twiddling their thumbs waiting to be TOLD what to do:

"Ah, Bob is headed to bed. Let me pull the drapes in the living room, turn off the lights in the rest of the house, turn the heat down a bit, make sure the garage door is closed, make sure nothing has been left ON in the kitchen, kill the TV in the living room, turn on the bedroom TV (cuz Bob likes to watch TV in bed just before retiring) and check to see if he has any appointments tomorrow morning that would warrant setting an earlier wake-up time on his alarm..."